SULLIVAN AND WAYNE COUNTY, PA. – It was a battle right down to the finish, but Steven Duarte of Liberty was able to hang on by 1/2 an inch to win the 50th Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest with an amazing 9 pointer that scored 77.50.

“It was certainly a good year for big bucks across the county,” Big Buck sponsor and Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert III said. “My reports from meat processors and taxidermists is that they are on par with last year, for the most part.”

The season  was highlighted by somewhat mild weather conditions and very little snowfall, which usually aids the deer hunt.

Jared Zaccari came in second in the Big Buck Contest with a giant 10-pointer that scored 77. And the ladies took third place as Navarah Meyer took an impressive 14 pointer in Tusten that rang the bell at 76.25 and actually led the contest for a week during the middle of the season.

Heavy Deer Contest

On the heavy deer side, the Town of Neversink came through again with an 8-point buck that dressed at 170 and was harvested by George Dean.

Coming in a close second by John Peters, who shot a 10-pointer in Liberty that weighed in at 167.

Eric Leewe took third place with his 164-lb, 9-pointer taken on opening day in Obernburg.

Navarah Meyer, who finished third in the Big Buck Contest, scored fourth place in heavy deer contest with her 14-point, 152 lb. buck.

All-time Records

2023 was not a year for any all-time records in the Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contests.

The all-time Big Buck still is held by Arthur Dross, who harvest a 16-pointer in Forestburgh in 1999 that scored 89 with 24-inch beams and a 25-inch spread.

The all-time Heavy Deer goes to Walter Garigliano, who took a monster 224-lb. dressed weight 8 pointer in the Town of Neversink.